British Isles Geography and Government

📋 Course Outline

1. Countries and Surrounding Waters
2. National Flags and Symbols
3. United Kingdom Government
4. Formation of the United Kingdom
5. Republic of Ireland and Peace
6. Devolved Governments
7. European Union and Brexit

📅 Key Dates

1. 1215King John signed the Magna Carta after the Barons’ rebellion, beginning the Parliament or great council and limiting the King’s privileges
2. 1534Henry VIII signed the Act of Supremacy, separated England from the Catholic Church, and became head of the Protestant Church of England after the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon
3. 1649Charles I was beheaded after the English Civil War of 1642–1648, following his rule from 1625 to 1649 without summoning Parliament for 11 years
4. 1688The Glorious Revolution forced the Catholic King James II to abdicate, and William III and Mary II accepted the Bill of Rights, which limited their powers and made Parliament the ruling power
5. 1973The United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community, later known as the European Union
6. 24 January 2021Boris Johnson enacted the Brexit withdrawal agreement and the United Kingdom left the European Union after the 2016 referendum